For every few Oscar contenders that we see, there are also a couple of hidden gems that never quite go the distance. One of those films is The Impossible, a harrowing yet inspirational production that takes us back to one of the most traumatic events in human history and is depicted furiously on the big-screen. Despite becoming the most successful film in Spanish box-office history, it has surprisingly failed to do well in awards season baring some Best Actress nominations for Naomi Watts (who will be hoping to land an Oscar nod). The pressure of helming such a powerful film is Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (making his second feature after Orphan) as he chooses to focus the story on a real-life family caught up in the tragedy. Mother nature is seen at its most terrifying in one of the most powerful cinematic experiences….

SYNOPSIS: During Christmas 2004, British couple Henry (Ewan McGregor) and Maria (Naomi Watts) decide to spend the festivities at a Thailand resort with their three sons. But on Boxing Day, tragedy strikes when the terrible tsunami hits the resort which leads to many deaths and the family getting separated. An injury-savaged Maria manages to find her eldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) but it becomes clear that she needs medical help. He decides to step up and help her as they finally arrive at the hospital which is overran by other victims of the disaster. In the meantime, Henry is able to reunite with his two youngest sons but desperately tries to locate Maria and Lucas amidst the devastation that has hit the country.

The uncomfortable feeling about The Impossible is made clear right from the start when the first screen-shot (which is faded to black) unleashes loud and blunt sounds that make us aware of how effective this film will end up being. As expected, we do get the calm before the storm as the family enjoy a relaxing couple of days in their glorious resort unaware of the horrors they are about to witness. Once the tsunami makes its deadly entrance, it does so with the most unstoppable force as we spend the next ten minutes being taken through this terrifying (and incredible) visual sequence. This event had never been portrayed properly on the big-screen before and it is through this option by Bayona that it works well and leaves us appalled at what some of the people must have gone through during that moment. The focus on Maria and Lucas’s bid to escape the natural occurrence is one that moves at pacey speed as the camera pans in and out of the water. Probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole segment is the sight of the pair’s flesh catching itself on scattered debris underwater which results in one particularly gruesome moment when Lucas sees the back of his mother’s leg (the physical injury make-up deserving of more awards attention). However, once the tsunami sequence finishes, it becomes a case of dealing with what has happened as the divided family attempt to reunite. But there is still no escaping the aftermath of the disaster especially when Lucas and the wounded Maria get to the hospital as the poor lad is forced to watch his mother spew out some black debris that has been stuck in her throat. But the hospital scenes do allow Lucas to mature as he goes from whiny son in the first act to dedicated and responsible young man for the remainder as he offers help to fellow survivors who are looking to reunite with their relatives. The alternative sub-plot involving Henry doesn’t quite have as much tension but is still an emotional ride as he desperately searches for the other sons and finds them (maybe a bit too easily) though we yearn for the satisfying outcome of the whole family reuniting. What makes the family structure work out well is Bayona’s impeccable casting of the two lead roles as underrated duo Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor deliver emotionally, captivating performances. Watts in particular has the more difficult part in playing a mother who battles traumatic fear and agonising pain as she looks to reunite with her loved ones. She will surely be competing in the strong Best Actress category when the Oscars eventually announce. Though McGregor doesn’t have as much screen-time, he gives an effortless portrayal of a father facing his worst possible nightmare. His heart-wrenching phone call scene is easily the best acting moment of his career. But both actors are almost overshadowed by young newcomer Tom Holland who shows motivation and maturity in his difficult role especially in his scenes with Watts. Like Life of Pi’s teenage starlet Saraj Sharma, a host of future films beckons for this young man.

If there is one chief criticism to direct at the film, it is the decision to mostly base the story on the family and not emphasise on what the devastation did to the local community. Though there is the disturbing sight of seeing a vast majority of deaths and wounded individuals, there is a bit too much focus on the ‘Western’ victims and not enough on the Thai countrymen and women who suffered even greater losses. This is made even more ironic by Bayona’s choice of having the family be white in the film when in actual fact they were Spanish!

VERDICT: The Impossible takes us back to the horrors of the tsunami and packs a harrowing punch in this dramatic tale of survival as the talented family-unit of Watts, McGregor and their young co-stars ensure that this is one true-life story you do not want to miss!